Apparatus for centrifugal casting



Nov. 26, 1963 G. H. CLAY APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1960 My Md 8 m 6 HT RNEY.

Nov. 26, 1963 s. H. CLAY APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5. 1960 INVENTOR. Geo/ye H 670 Nov. 26, 1963 G. H. CLAY APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1960 /NVENTOI?.

gyz/dy a AT ORNEK Nov. 26, 1963 e. H. CLAY APPARATUS FOR CENTRIF'UGAL CASTING 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5. 1960 NQ Qw Nov. 26, 1963 G. H. CLAY 3,111,729

APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING Filed May 5. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F a9 5a l l .65 53 l '2 .93 l 5.9

United States Patent 3,111,729 APPARATUS F012 CENTRIFUGAL CASTENG George H. Clay, Mission Hills, Karts, assignor to Clay 8: Bailey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Missouri Filed May 5, 1960, Ser. No. 27,137 12 Claims. (Cl. 22-28) This invention relates to an apparatus for centrifugal casting and molding of pipe and refers more particularly to a continuous, integrated apparatus therefor adapted to (l) sand line a centrifugal molding flask, (2) pass the flask to a spinning section, (3) spin the mold while the molten metal is poured thereinto, (4) pass the flask with the formed pipe therein to a push-out section, (5) push the sand and casting out of the flask, and (6) return the flask to the starting point.

Static casting may be distinguished from spin casting in that spin casting is lower cost, provides a denser metal and has no sponge at the gates. Additionally, there are no gates or sprues. Thus, for example, 40 pounds of pipe are obtained from 40' pounds of iron. Another advantage lies in the fact that more uniform pipe wall thickness is provided when problems of uniform sand and pattern positioning are overcome. Additionally, more straight pipes may be formed. Eliminated are arbor (core support) handling, breakage, straightening requirements, and other like losses.

It is known in the art to centrifugally cast water and sewer pipe in sand-filled mold flasks. In this art, the pattern is first placed in the flask, then sand hand tamped around the pattern with the flask in vertical position. The pattern is then removed either while the flask is still in the vertical position or with the flask in horizontal position and the flask transported to a spinning means or device usually comprising a set of driven wheels where the metal is poured into the flask. The flask is then transported to a push-out system where the cast pipe is shoved out of the flask. The empty flask may then be returned to the sand filling point.

Many problems have arisen in the latter art as to the optimum means and methods of handling various stages of the entire centrifugal casting process. Thus, feeding of sand to the flask filling area must be handled in such manner as to provide proper quality sand in proper quantity. Secondly, the tamping of the sand in the flask, particularly in the critical areas of each end of the flask, has not previously been satisfactorily solved. There arise problems of handling the movement of the flask from horizontal to vertical alignment and back in the pattern insertion and removal zone. Removal of the pattern without disturbance of the sand lining must be accomplished. There follows the problem of optimum transport of the flask to the spinning area and the handling of the flask relative to the spinning and metal pouring operation. Following this there is a requirement for satisfactory convenient transport of the heavy, metal lined flask to the pipe and sand removal point. Push-out of the sand and cast pipe must be swiftly and uniformly accomplished. Finally, the empty flask must be removed from the push-out zone, transported in uniform fashion back to the sand lining area and accurately positioned therein.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus 3,111,7Zii Patented Nov. 26, 1963 "ice layout for the substantially complete mechanization of the entire process of centrifugally molding pipe in sand lined flasks.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for inserting and withdrawing the pattern into and out of the flask and also for aligning the flask and pattern therein for sand filling.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for tamping sand into the annulus between the flask and pattern whereby to provide an entirely uniform pack of sand therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an integrated flask transport means or trackway connecting all stages of the process from said lining of the mold to push-out and return to the sand lining area.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for receiving sand lined flasks from the transport trackway, positioning them for rotation and metal pouring and then translating the flasks back onto the t-rackway for movement to the push-out zone.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for receiving the flask containing the cast metal and sand, removing the cast metal and sand from the flask, removing the still hot cast pipe from the push-out Zone and returning the flask to the transport trackw-ay for pas sage back to the sand filling area.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for truly aligning the flask and pattern core, protecting the molded sand, and uniformly tamping sand in the flask.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high speed production line for centrifugally casting pipe in sand lined molds, including a flask recycle system, and a sand recycle system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical system for tamping sand between the pattern and the flask with horizontal removal of the flask from the pattern whereby to require only rolling motion of the sand lined flask and not require layover of the flask after removal of the pattern therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trackway which permits a smooth, even flow of and spacing of operations in a centrifugal casting procedure whereby to permit a continuous feed to and from the casting rollers and also provide a smooth elevator feed of flasks both into the sand feeding area and out of the pipe pushout area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand feed system into the annulus between the pattern and the flask whereby to permit initial hand feeding from a special sand box, thereby to enable the formation of tight ends and avoid deformities in the bell of the pipe which may have to be ground off, the optional hand feeding permitting the use of stronger or Wetter sand which, in the center of the lining, would steam and blow out.

Another object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal casting apparatus wherein any desired length of or form of pipe may be cast.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical sand feed and an automatically driven tamper, the latter employing a diaphragm system in order to permit desired variation and variability in the hardness of the tamped sand.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a very true pipe without voids by controlling the sand hardness.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

In l 16 drawings, wmch form a part of theinstant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and, in the vanious views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the entire operative system for the centrifugal molding of pipe in sand lined flasks.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus .of FIG. 1 from the right-hand side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the zone of the inventive apparatus for applying a mold flask to a mold pattern in horizontal position, then elevating the flask and pattern to vertical position for filling with sand, then lowering the flask and pattern to horizontal position for removal of the lined flask from the pattern.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus of PEG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the centrifugal spinning section showing the rollers for receiving the lined flask for rotation, the means for rotating said rollers and the means for applying a plurality of lined flasks to the rollers and removing them there-from after pouring of the metal. I

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view with parts cut away of a sand receiving and dispensing hopper for handling molding sand prior to lining the flask.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the construction of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the engagement supporting the tamped rod.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the underside of the flask stabilizer collar.

FiG. 11 is a view taken along the line l1ll of FIG. 10 in the direction of the arrows.

HQ. 12 is a detail of the feed chute connecting the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9 with that of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be assumed that the viewer is looking at the figures with the figure designations toward the viewer and up and down and right and left will be employed to designate parts in these particular views from this particular perspective orr orientation of the figures. The same is true in the case of FIGS. 3-6, inclusive.

Flasks and T rackway System Referring to FIG. 1, at 19 is shown a conventional molding flask comprising an elongate cylindrical perforated hollow metal body, circular in cross section. and having collars ll at each end thereof, a ring flange l2 circumferentially positioned centrally thereof and a pair of track guides 13 circumferentially fixed to the flask whereby to position it on the trackway to be described and also on the flask spinning wheels in the metal pouring operation, said guides including collars to ride on the trackways and flanges to lie inside the trackways' and precisely position the flasks thereon for rolling movement. A typical mold flask is 5 feet 4 inches in length and has an 8 inch diameter. The distance between the guide rings inside the tracks is slightly over 32 inches, thus indicating a typical width of the trackway.

The source of mold flasks in the system comprises the upper mnackway 14 which comprises a pair of parallel, horizontally oriented tracks adapted to receive the mold flasks for rolling motion thereon. Tracks 14 are supported by suitable suspension girders l5 connecting to cross beams 16 underlying track l4. Beams must be sufliclently spaced apart to permit the passage of the flasks therebetween. The trackway 14 may be slightly inclined from a higher to a lower level from right to left in FIG. 2 to aid in rolling the flasks from the flask cleanout or sand and casting pushout zone to the left in FIGS.

1 and 2 back to the sand lining and pattern receiving zone at the right in PEGS. 1 and 2.

Flasks returned from left to right on trackway 14 (or originally applied to trackway 14land moved to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2) are received on an elevator having paired receiving arms 17 extending horizontally. Elevator arms 17 are attached to vertical frame members 27a and raised and lowered by conventional means such as an hydraulic cylinder 18- positioned thereabove between suitable frame members 19, the latter controlling the lateral movement of the elevator. FIG. 2 shows (in dotted lines) elevator receiving arms 17 in their uppermost position adapted to receive a single mold flask at a time from upper ltrackway 14 and lower to the full line position of FIG. 2. Optionally, there may be provided steps 25; on upper trackway 14 to position a flask 10 thereon for passage therethrough of a cylindrical cleanout blush of an outer diameter equal to the internal flask diameter to clean any residues of sand therefrom before passing into the sand filling and pattern applying zones. Such apparatus is not. shown and is optional.

From elevator arms 17 in the lower position of FIG. 2, a flask its is passed (by rolling on guides 13 and 12 thereon) either to a first guide zone 21 on a first flask receiving platform or passed by a section of trackway of the same character as trackway 14 between first guide zone 21 and a second flask receiving platform for purpose of chargin onto a mold pattern. Portions of zone 23 between the elevator arms 17 and zone 24 between guides 21 and 22 may be built up to provide convenient rolling means and ways to easily move the flasks from the elevator to either of the two guide zones and from said zones onto the lower trackway 25 proper best seen in FIG. 2.

Lower trackway 25 comprises a pair of rails precisely positioned under the upper rails 14- land of the same dimensions. Suitable support legs 26, '27 and 23 support the section of lower trackway bet-ween the second guide Zone 22 and the spinning zone to be described. A zone 29 (FIGURE '1) after guide 22 may be provided solid between the t rackways and having tapered flask feeders St to ease the transition from the last guide zone 22 onto trackway 25 of the sand filled flasks. Beyond the spinning zone, a like section of trackway 31 to that numbered 25 is provided, passing from the spinning zone to a pushout zone as will be described. Section 31 is supported by suitable legs 32 and others not shown. Track portions 25 and 31 may be slightly slanted from a higher elevation to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a lower elevation to the left in H63. 1 and 2 in order to facilitate transport and rolling of the sand and metal filled flasks from the sand filling zone to the rollers and from the spinning section or rollers to the sand and casting push-out zone.

in the zone to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to positioning flasks from elevator 17 as previously described, the following operations take place. (It should be noted that a system simultaneously handling two flasks is shown.) in the first place, the flasks are inserted over patterns in a horizontal position. The flasks on the patterns are then raised to a vertical position. Flask stabilizer collars are then applied to the top of the flasks. Sand from an elevated source, such as the second story of a building in which the flask and pattern are on the first floor, is then gravity fed into the flasks as they are spun, the fed sand being mechanically tamped into the annulus between the flask and pattern. Once the flasks have been properly filled with sand, the flasks and patterns are again oriented in a horizontal direction and the flasks with the sand for-med therein are mechanically pulled off of the patterns. Then the flasks are sequentially passed onto trackway 25 from right to left in FlGS. 1 and 2 for transport to the pouring zone slightly to the left of center in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Sand Feed System FIGS. 7 and 8 show a hopper assembly adapted to receive molding sand from a suitable source by suitable means and feed it in uniform fashion to a chute or feed- Way above a flask vertically mounted on a pattern. The instant process contemplates a sand recycle system Wherein sand from the pushout zone to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 is raised by suitable elevator means to the, for example, second story of a building with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 on the first story thereof. Typically, on the second story, a pile of sand (not shown) of desired dimension, depending upon the capacity of the centrifugal molding system, is maintained at the desired conditions for optimum molding by periodical doctoring with conventional additives, water, etc. From this periodically replenished pile, a conventional conveyor belt (not shown) passes a flow of sand to the apparatus of FlGS. 7 and 8. The latter apparatus protects the sand from excessive contact With the atmosphere, compacts it by the sand head thereon in the apparatus and feeds it in measured fashion therefrom to a chute generally designated at 33 in FIG. 8.

Chute 33 comprises a conventional tube (see FIG. 12) flaring downwardly from a greater to a lesser Width (rectangular in cross section) to a cylindrical pipe at the lower portion thereof which is hinged for movement in a single direction to and fro from a position on a receiving tray 3'4 or 35 (FIG. 1) to a mold flask in ventical sand receiving position as will be described. Chute 33 has upwardly extending walls 34 and 35 to contain sand fed from the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8 for controlled feed without loss into chute 33.

Referring to the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8, at 53 is designated a circular flat base comprising a rigid metallic plate upon which is mounted an elongate cone 54 having its apex spaced upwardly from base 53 and the base thereof rigidly fixed to plate 53. Spacer flanges 55 pcsitioned 90 apart position a hop-per shell 56 circumferentially outwardly from cone 54. Shell 56 is frustoconical in shape with its lesser internal diameter up and greater 16) down. Due to the greater slope of cone 54, the apex of cone 54 is spaced a (greater distance from the opposing wall of shell 56 than the base portion of cone 54 is spaced from the opposing wall of shell 56. This structure provides for compaction of the molding sand which is dumped as required into the top of shell 56 over cone 54. Hopper shell 56 is generally maintained filled slightly above the apex of cone 54 to provide a suitable pressure head on the sand. The lower edge 56a of the open top shell 56 is uniformly spaced upwardly from the upper surface of base 53 as to permit a quantity of sand to extrude outwardly away from cone 54 and shell 56 a distance determined by the head of Weight on the sand and its own consistency and texture.

Fixed to the outer surface of shell 56 by one end 58 is curved bar 57, spaced at its other end therefrom by arm 59. A like construction is flxed 180 opposite and is numbered the same, but primed. Suspended from the ceiling 61) or other suitable means is rod 61 having weight 62 fixed to the lower end thereof. A ring '68 at the upper end of rod 66 opposite weight 67 is pivotal-ly attached to ring connection 69 fixed into ceiling 6t). Weight 67 on rod as rides up over bars 57 and 57 and falls back to impact against the outer surface of shell 56 during rotation of base '53 whereby to maintain the feed of sand and also compact it by jarring and its own weight within shell 56. A pair of scraper bars 76 and 71 closely overlie flange 53 and are fixed to support bar 72 which is raised to permit sand to pass thereunder. Bars 70 and 71 feed the sand passing out from the under edge 56a of shell 56 into chute 33 in measured fashion. Base 53 and cone and shell 56' rotate in a counterclockwise direction in PEG. 8 and from left to right in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, means are provided for driving plate 53, cone 54 and shell 56 thereon in the said direction. Shaft 73 is rigidly fixed to the underside of base 53. Plate 74 mounts roller bearing 75 to receive the end of shaft 73. Housing 7 6 carries second roller bearing 77 and secondary housing 78. Suitable transmission gearings 79 and Sit on shafts 73 and 82 in box 81 connect shaft 73 to shaft 82, the latter enclosed in housing 83 attached to box 81. Shaft 82 has flexible coupling half 84 fixed on one end thereof engaging other flexible coupling half 85 fixed on shaft 86. The latter is driven by suitable power source such as gear motor 87 mounted by brackets 8S fixed to the floor 89 or other suitable support means. Frame 96, carrying rotatably mounted rollers 91 mounted thereon, carries the weight of base 53 and the apparatus and sand mounted thereon in rotation as driven by motor 87. Motor '87 is actuated simultaneously with the motor driving the flask to be filled in vertical position whereby only to feed sand as it is consumed in the flask lining process. Bearing blocks 92 carry shafts 93 mounting rollers 91. Frame may be mounted on the second floor of or on suitable support means in the building or structure in which the instant system is applied.

Flask Filling System As previously mentioned, the instant system is one which is adapted to handle simultaneously two flasks for sand filling and also for simultaneously pouring and casting. At the right side of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown two sets of apparatus for receiving a flask, positioning a flask on a pattern, moving a flask on the pattern from a horizontal to vertical position and return in the sand filling operation and removing a sand filled flask from the pattern. At the right-hand side of FIG. 1, the flask handling apparatus to the far right feeds flasks from the center downwardly onto the pattern, while the flask handling apparatus to the left thereof feeds a flask from the center upwardly onto a pattern. In FIG. 2 the flask handling assembly at the far right moves a flask toward the observer, While that to the left thereof moves a flask away from the observer.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a plan and side view, respectively, of a single set of flask handling (moving and spinning) apparatus, it being assumed that this particular set is that to the far right in FIGS. 1 and 2. Identical parts in the assembly to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be numbered the same, but primed.

Referring first to the right-hand side of FIGS. 3 and 4, at 94 is shown the horizontal base for the flask moving apparatus from which braces 95, 96 and 97 support elongate horizontal beam 98. Fixed to beam 93 by ties 99 is vertical rear cylinder mount 100' at the far right in FIGS. 3 and 4. Bars Iltil support hydraulic cylinder receiver 1 12 to the left of cylinder mount 1th)", the latter two members receiving and rigidly supporting hydraulic cylinder 193- of conventional type. A pair of parallel, horizontally oriented tracks 104 having stops 105 at the left-hand end thereof are rigidly secured to beam 98. Carriage 1% is mounted for to and fro motion to the left and right in FEGS. 3 and 4 by wheels 10 7 riding on tracks lit-t. Channel 167 mounts paired guides 10 8 on carriage 16 6, guides 1% adapted to receive a mold flask thereon in parallel orientation therewith. The space between the guides is recessed so the rounded flanges 13 of the flask rest only on guides 10 8 in precise orientation and relationship. Channel 107 is back-stopped by upright backing means 169 to which is connected plunger or piston 103a of hydraulic cylinder 10 3. Backing means H ll is supported by brace 1 10 and has gate bars 111 pivotally fixed thereto :by swivels 112. A collar 113 joins the two gate bars 111.

When a flask is originally rolled onto guides 10 8 gate bars 111 are swiveled to right angles of the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 so that one end of the flask, that end which is to be uppermost in the sand filling operation,

abuts against backup means 169. When the flask is to be pulled from the pattern after sand loading and when the flask has been returned to the horizontal position, gate bars 111, after guides ltlz'i have been run against under the flask, are pivoted 90 to the position of PlGS. 3 and 4 whereby collar 113 engages a guide flange 33 of the to enable removal of the flask from the pattern. Additional means 94a at the left-hand end or" beam 98 in support thereof. Suitable conventional hydraulic connections are made to hydraulic cylinder 1 .93 to en-aole force to be applied to the piston ltil a to extend it from right to left in FIGS. 3 and 4 or pull it back into the cylinder from left to right in FIGS. 3 and 4 moving carriage 1% therewith.

Turning to the flask receiving and spinning assembly to the left in FIGS. 3 and 4, base beams Ill-"i are rigidly connected together by suitable means such 3 front angle 115 to form a rigid structure. Uprights are rigidly fixed to base beams E14 and have additional supports connected thereto for greater rigidity. Tie bars rigidly and fixedly connect beam 8 to supports 1 whereby to precisely and accurately position beam 9 relative to the flask handling framework being described.

Bearing or pillow blocks 119 are fixed to horizontal plates 120, the latter supported by beams and Blocks 119 receive pivot shafts 122 for rotation therein. Frame beams 123' have pivot shaft bases 1-24 rigidly fixed thereto and are themselves fixed adjacent their left-hand ends in the views of FIGS. 3 and 4 to pattern support base 125. The latter comprises a rectangular plate supporting pattern 125a pivoting from the plate vertical position of FIGS. 3 and 4 to a plate horizontal position and back.

Countenbalance tubes 1E6 contain weights, not shown, attached to cables 127, the latter run over pulleys rotatably mounted on shafts 129 fixed to the top of tubes 126. The other ends of cables 7127 are fixed to lift lugs 129 fixedly attached to frame beams 123. The action of the weights in tubes 12s is to tend to lift or pivot beams 123 around pivot shafts 122 to the position of FIGS. 3 and 4. Additional counterbalance weight 13b is fixed by balance bar 131 to the end of one frame beam 123 on the other side of pivot 122 for the same purpose. Paired hydraulic or air cylinders 132 are connected to fr at angle 115 by suitable bracket plates 132a and have piston rods 133 thereof fixed pivotally to the undersides of frame beams 123 in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cylinders 132 serve to actuate the motion of frame beams 12.3 90 from the horizontal position of FIGS. 3 and 4 to vertical position and return.

Core pattern 122a is fixed to locator plate 1'34 on pattern mounting plate 125. The locator plate 134 is rotatably mounted on plate 125. Suitable motor and transmission means (not shown) are provided in box 135 fixed to the-underside of plate 125 whereby to rotate plate 134 and pattern 122 thereon. Locator plate 134 rotates with pattern 122a and has lugs 136 fixed at 99 intervals thereto circumferenti-ally to pattern 122a whereby to fixedly position a mold flask encircling pattern 122a relative thereto in rotation therewith. The conventional power source to drive locator plate 134, pattern 122a and the flask is not shown but may comprise an electrical motor of suitable design, as previously mentioned, actuated simultaneously with the conventional power plant driving plate 53 to feed sand into the chute.

Guides 137 are fixed by arms 13% to the inner faces of frame beams 123 whereby to precisely guide a mold flask relative to pattern 1212a as it advances over the pattenr from guides 108 and is removed therefrom by the same means. Guides 137 have outwardly formed ends 137a whereby to initially receive that end of a mold flask which is to be received by lugs 136 properly relative to pattern 122a. Upper stop plates 139 are provided to limit the pivotal motion of beams 123 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 4, while lower stops 149 (FIG. 4) limit their pivotal action in the counterclockwise direction. Stops 144? are fixed to base beams 114.

An upright beam or post 141 is positioned next to the upper base beam 114 in FIG. 3 at a height equal to that of the flask in vertical position (mounted on the pattern) and has stabilizer base 142 horizontally mounted thereon carrying lugs 143. Stabilizer base mounts flask stabilizer collar to control the rotatory motion of the upper end of the pattern and the upper end of the flask, the vertical position of the pattern indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4. A pair of arms 144 are pivotally fixed at one end thereof to lugs 143. Arms 144 are attached at their other ends to two opposed ears 145 which are themselves attached to a ring 146. Two other like opposed ears 147 are also attached to the periphery of ring 145. Roller bearings 148 are rotatably fixed to each ear 145 and 147. Cross bar 149 has bearing block liilfi centrally thereof mounting bearing lo't'ia.

in operation of the flask stabilizer collar, with the flask encircling the pattern and positioned in vertical alignment thereon, arms 144 are pivoted 180 from the position of FIGS. 3 and 4 so that the four rollers 148 lie outside the upper collar of the flask whereby to permit spin inside thereof, yet stabilize the vertical position of and upper end of the rotating flask. The bearing 159a rides in a suitable fitting applied by the operator to the top of pattern 127a whereby to stabilize the rotation of the pattern, as well. Cross bar 149 divides the side of the flask to receive on one side thereof the sand feed from the lower end of the chute and on the other the tamper bar 151. Thus, as a mold flask rotates, sand is fed in on one side of bar 149, while tamper bar 151 oscillates upwardly and downwardly on the other side thereof whereby to tamp in measured fashion sand passed into the annulus between the flask and the pattern.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, rectangular cross section tamper bar 151 is received in a collar 1:32 circumferentially enclosing it and having a circumferential rubber flange or diaphragm 153 therein itself encircling the bar. Flange 153 is controlled in its grip on the bar 151 by set screws 154 adapted to compress the flange on the bar. An electric motor 155 drives, through belts 156, enlarged shaft 157 in rotation. Rotatably mounted off center on disc 159 fixed to shaft 157 is hub 153. The latter receives one end of a shaft 164i which is fixed at its other end thereof to an oscillatory hub 161 pivotally connected to diaphragm 152. Shaft 157 is driven through bearings l57a mounted on suitable support beams 162.

The tension of diaphragm 153 on tamper bar 151 is adjusted to pack the sand in the rotating flask annulus to a desired hardness while simultaneously permitting the rod to slip upwardly through the diaphragm engagement as the sand fills the annulus at the desired hardness. Rod 151 must be of substantially greater length than the height of a vertically mounted flask on platform 125 whereby to permit its constant engagement during the tamping operation. One of set screws 154 has a handle 154a for release thereof sufiiciently to permit the rod to slide again down to the bottom or" the annulus between a newly mounted flask and pattern assembly before insertion of sand. Turning the handle 154a in the other direction engages the diaphragm to the desired tension which may be indicated by a position on the diaphragi housing 152, recalibrated as desired.

Typically, wetter sand is employed at the top and bottom of the flask to achieve tight ends, this sand being applied by hand scoop from a tray 34 or 35 before insertion of the tamper and after removal of the flask stabilizer collar and pivot thereof back to the position of FlGS. 3 and 4.

Thus it is seen that a flask which is rolled empty upon guides 31% is forced by cylinder 1433, operating against backup 1%, over pattern 122a in the position of FIGS.

3 and 4. The flask is received at one end by lugs 134i and guided by bars or guides 13-7. Actuation of air or hydraulic cylinders 132 pulls frame beams 123 down on pivots 122 so pattern 122:: is in the vertical dotted position of FIG. 4. The flask stabilizer collar is then fitted over the top of the flask as previously described and power means actuated in box 135 to rotate the locator plate 134 and the flask and pattern therewith. Sand is poured from the chute on one side of bar 149, While tamping rod 151 oscillates upwardly and downwardly, packing it in the annulus. Once the annulus is filled, it is topped, if desired, with wetter sand and the flask stabilizer collar removed. Cylinders 132 then pivot beams 123 to the positions of FIGS. 3 and 4 and cylinder 103, which retracted carriage 166 after application of the flask to the pattern, again advances. Collar 113 is pulled down on pivots 112 to engage a rotating flange of the flask and cylinder 1% retracts carriage 166 pulling the flask therewith on guides 198. Once the flask has been returned to a position opposite trackway 25, it is pushed by an operator with a pole or other means onto the free trackway 25 over sloped means 3t? toward the spinning section to be described.

Flask Spinning and Pouring Apparatus Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, therein are shown enlarged views of the means for spinning two flasks simultaneously for centrifugal distribution of molten metal to cast pipes therein and also of the means for simultaneously translating a pair of flasks from the track portion 25 to the rollers and then, after pouring, from the rollers onto the track portion 31.

As previously described, support beams 23 and 32 support the extremities of track portions 25 and 31 adjacent the spinning section. Braces $.62 support a platform 163 which carries a conventional electric motor 164 thereon to drive the roller system. Motor 164 drives shaft 165 mounting pulley 166 over which runs endless belt 167. Braces 168 support a transversely extending platform 169 supporting three sets of bearing blocks or pillow blocks 170, 171 and 172. These rotatably mount shafts 173, 174 and 175, respectively. Shafts 173, 174 and 175 have paired wheels or rollers 1'76, 177 and 178 mounted respectively on each end thereof outside of the pillow blocks with suitable flask supporting rims thereon. Shaft 174 has pulleys 179 mounted thereon to receive belts 167. Shaft 17 i is the only driven shaft while shafts 173 and 175 are idler shafts whereby two flasks positioned between shafts 173 and 17d and 17 and 175, respectively, are driven in opposite directions.

Referring to FIG. 1, positioned upwardly in this view of the three shafts 173-l75, is a platform 13%) which is horizontal in extension and is mounted on wheels (not shown) for up and down movement in FIG. 1 toward and away from tracks 25 and 31. Platform 'ftdtl carries receiving pots ldi which are pivotally mounted on platform 18d so as to be able to pour molten metal from spouts 182 thereof into receiving funnels 133 passing into secondary elongate spouts (not shown) under cover 1%. Handle 185 pivots pots 181 into and out of pouring position. The spouts under cover 134 pour the molten metal received in funnels 133 into rotating mold flasks received n the rollers the ends of which are positioned under hood 186. A suitable source of metal such as a pot moved from a furnace to the vicinity of the platform 18%) on an overhead track or the like may be used to periodically replenish the receiving pots 181. An enlarged overhead hood issa (FIG. 2) is positioned over the general spinning zone and, if desired, suitablesuspended roller means under said hood may rest on the upper rotating sides of said flasks to stabilize them in rotation.

Referring further to FIGS. and 6, anchor brackets 187 and 138 pivotally mount lift arms 139 and 1% on shafts 191 and E92 therein. Upper bracket plates 1193 and 1% are pivotally mounted on axles 195 and 196 at the upper ends of lift arms 139 and 190. Paired rails 197 are fixed to upper bracket plates 193 and 19-4 by bolts 193 and 199. Rails 1'97 are positioned outside but parallel to lower rails 25 and 31. Tie bar 200 connecting paired rails 197 at the left in FIGS. 5 and 6 has brace arms 2M connecting the same to a second tie bar 202. Bracket 293 (FIG. 5) is fixed at one end thereof to platform 169 and receives therein the piston arm 2&4 of an hydraulic cylinder 2%. Brace arms 2% connect to cross beams 207 and 2438 (FIG. 5), the former fixedly connecting to cylinder 2 65. Cylinder cover plate 2'09 is fixed to cross beam 2M and additional cross beam 210-.

Actuation of hydraulic cylinder Z moves rails 197, through cross bar 2&7, to and fro from left to right in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, since rails l7 are mounted on lift arm 189 and 1%, this also operates to move the rails between a lowermost position in FIGS. 5 and 6 and an upper position, the latter when lift arms 1-89 and 1% have moved clockwise in FIG. 6. Thus an oscillating arc movement is provided for the rails H7. Stops 211 receive rails 197 in their lowermost position.

A pair of rails 212, having a plurality of flask locators 213 thereon are mounted on wheels 2 14 rotatably fixed to wheel plates 215 whereby to ride to and fro on lower rails 197. Cross angles 216 are U-shaped in end view and rigidly connect the ends of rails 2&2 to one another. Angles 2,16 ride under lower rails 25 and 31 on each side of the spinning axles ll732l75. Olevis plates 217 mount shaft 218 therebetween on the right-hand angle 216 in the views of FIGS. 5 and 6, shaft 21-8 being engaged by a collar 219 fixed to the piston rod of an hydraulie cylinder 22d. Cylinder 225% is fixed by suitable bracket plates 221 to beam 222 fixed to the underside of rails 25. FIGS. 5 and 6 show rails 212 in their lowermost position and drawn as far as possible to the right by cylinder 2%.

in operation, by raising and lowering rails 197 by means of hydraulic cylinder 2%, upper rails 212 may be caused to rise toward and drop away from main [rails 25 and 31. Additionally, by means of hydraulic cylinder 220, upper rails 21-2 may be translated from left to right and vice versa in the views of FIGS. 5 and 6. In this manner, pairs of molding flasks may be picked up from rails 25 by rails 212 (between flask locators), moved over the gaps between spinning wheels 176, 178, lowered therebetween, and rails 212 then dropped to a clear position as in FIGS. 5 and 6. With the spinning operation accomplished, the flask-s are picked up between sets of locators 213, raised clear of the spinning wheels and main rails, and translated to the left and down onto a position on rails -31. Conventional end plugs for the flasks are inserted before pouring the metal into the flasks in the spinning operation. Allthis is accomplished without any contact of operators hands with the flasks. The desired extensions of hydraulic cylinders and 22% may be standardized for the basic positions so that automatic controls may be employed. The weight of the flasks is only a minor point. The basic reasons for such an automatic flask handling system as shown are, first, the necessity to maintain the integrity of the sand lining of the molds before the pouring and spinning operation and, second, the presence of the hot metal in the flasks after the pouring and spinning operation which makes undesirable human handling.

Flask Cleanout and Reoycle Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, at the left-hand side of each of these two figures is shown the means for (l) pushing out the cast pipe and molding sand from the molding flask, (2) returning the flask to the upper rails or rackway 14 and (3) freeing the cast pipe from the sand and collecting the cast pipe for movement away from the system shown. After the pouring and spinning at the spinning zone, and after the metal filled flasks have been transferred to lower trackway portion 3 1 by the pickup means of FIGS. 5 and 6, the conventional casting plugs, which were inserted in the sand lined pipe between the sand lining zone and the spinning zone, are removed by suitably gloved personnel. The mold flasks then contain only the cast pipe and molding sand lining therein with open ends.

A single flask is rolled onto the end lower track sections or extensions which have notches all; formed centrally thereof to fix the position of a flask therein. The end track sections 31a are supported by an elongate ectangular frame set just below the level of tracks 25 and 31 and including transverse elongate members 22-3 and 224 joined at their ends by cross beams 225 and 226 and having other cross beams connecting them intermediate their ends as at 2-29, and 231. An hydraulic cylinder 232 is fixed at one end thereof to cross beam 225 and adjacent its other end to cross beams 22 and 229. Piston 233 mounts on its free end cylindrical pusher member 234. The latter is mounted axially parallel with a mold flask received in notches 3115, but slightly above the central axis of the flask whereby to push out both the sand and the pipe in movement toward the viewer in PK}. 2 and downwardly in PEG. 1. Piston 233 is of sufiicient length to push a cast pipe completely out of the mold flask.

At 235 are shown paired lift brackets of an elevator frame received between paired, verticfily extending beams 235 (FIG. 2). The construction of the elevator mechanism of the left side of FIGS. 1 and 2 is substantially identical to that of the right side of FIGS. 1 and 2, with cross beam 237 connecting to a pair of vertical arms (not shown) which in turn are connected at their lower ends to brackets 235. An hydraulic cylinder 238 is connected by piston rod 239 thereof to cross beam. 237 whereby to move beam 237 upwardly and downwardly and brackets 235 therewith. Connected to vertical fixed beams 236 are paired, joined members 2 and 241 which together form a braced apex whereby to deflect a flask raised on brackets 235 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 thus to roll it onto the upper trackway 114, which, as previously mentioned, is preferably canted slightly downwardly from the left to right in FIGS. 1 and 2 to retain flasks thereon and aid in motion thereof from left to right in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Main vertical beams ZdZ and 2 53 support elongate channel 244 positioned above upper trackway 14 and received on horizontal beams 245. Cross beams 245 are also connected to vertical members are mounted on elongate horizontal transverse member 224. Pivot bearings 247 and 248 (FIG. 1) receive for pivotal motion therein shaft 249. Fixed to one end of shaft 249 is an arm 250 which overlies transverse beam 257 of the elevator mechanism. Fixed to the other end of shaft 24-9 is another arm 251 which has cable 252 connected thereto. With arm 250 riding on top of cross beam 237, raising the elevator raises arm 25% and thus arm 251 carrying cable 252 therewith.

The means for receiving the pipe and sand pushed out from the mold flask comprises elongate table 253 which is mounted by pivot shafts 254: at each end thereof in bearings 255. The latter are mounted on cross members 23d and 231 between elongate members 223 and 224. Pivot arms 254 are positioned adjacent one edge of table 253, while another arm 256 is connected to the underside of table 253, overlies elongate member 224 and has cable 252 connected thereto.

Raising arm 251 lifts table 253 around pivot shafts 254, whereby to dump a cast pipe thereon to the left in FIGS. 1 wd 2. Any sand wluch has not fallen down on the open sides of table 253 falls off thereof in such dump i-ng action, whereby to provide a pile of sand which may be removed to the upper story for recharging to the system at any time by suitable conventional means. A rackway for receiving cast pipe comprises paired beams 257 slanted downwardly to the left in FIG. 2 supported at their lefthand ends by paired posts 258. The latter extend upwardly sufficiently above beams 25] to stop and retain the pipes until removed by suitable conventional means.

Sand Feed and Flask Rotation Stabilization Details Referring to P16. 12, therein is shown a chute adapted to feed sand from plate 53 of the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9 to the receiving trays -34 and 35 shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and in full lines in FIG. 12. Chute 33, as previously mentioned, comprises a tube flaring downwardly from a greater rectangular cross section at the top adjacent the upstanding walls 34 and 35 to a lesser rectangular cross section adjacent the bottom thereof. Flanges 33a, fixed to the sides of chute 33 and extending past the side wall thereof, pivotally carry shaft or rod 33b through openings therein. Enlarged heads 330 on the ends of shaft 33b carry flanges 33d connected at their upper end to shaft or rod 331) and fixed at their lower inwardlyangled ends to the side walls of a rectangular cross section chute or tube 332. The latter encloses at its upper end the lower end of chute 33 whereby to permit pivotal movement thereon and has a cylindrical lower end section 33 The latter is positioned slightly above tray 34 whereby, when over tray 34-, mounding of sand on the tray from end 33f will limit iurther fallout of sand from tube 33]. The view of P16. 12 may be taken as looking from the lower side of FIG. 1 (the notation FIG. 1 is at the bottom of the view) upwardly. Chute 33 would then be directly above tray 34 and chute 33c pivotable from directly above tray 34 to directly above the core 12241 (when the latter is in vertical position) to feed sand into the annulus between a flask and the core and then back to the tray stop the sand feed. Since plate 53 is rotated only when the core and flask are, there is no sand excess problem. In the view of FIG. 12, the motion would be away from the observer to feed sand and toward the observer to return to the tray. In FIG. 1, the motion would be from the tray 34 upwardly to the position over the mold flask and then downwardly back to the tray.

Referring to FIG. 2, therein is shown means for stabilizring the rotation of mold flasks on rollers 17 64.78, in the metal pouring operation. These means comprise the following. A shaft 26% of substantially the length of a flask 10 is rotatably received in paired flanges 261 which are supported by paired rods or arms 262. The latter are fixed rigidly to flanges 261 atone end and pivotally mounted by pins 264- at the other end on flanges 263. The latter are fixed to the underside of upper rail 14. A pair of wheels 265 having rubber or other resilient material rims 266 are mounted on shaft 269 for rotation therewith inside of flanges 26 1. Flanges 261, arms 262 and flanges 263 are spaced apart substantially the distance rails 14 and 25 are spaced laterally from one another. A pair of substantially vertical arms 267 are pivotally and slidably connected by pins 268 to flanges 269, the latter fixed to the undersides of arms 262. Arms 267 are pivotally fixed at their lower ends to flanges 271 by pins 270. Flanges 271 are rigidly fixed to the underside of beams 197 whereby to move therewith. A slot 272 may be pro vided adjacent the upper end of each arm 267 to limit the relative motion of arms 262 relative to the motion of beams 197.

In operation of the device immediately described, when paired flasks 273 and 2 74 are received for rotation on rollers 176-178, inclusive, the wheels 265 are adapted to rest thereon together with whatever weight is provided on arms 26-2 whereby to rotate therewith. The dead weight ride on flasks 273 and 274- through wheels 265 of the pivot mounted arms 262, shaft 26d and wheels 265 is insured by the slots 272 in arms 267 which are of suflicient length that, when beams 197 are in their lowest position (as in FIG. 2) wheels 2655 will ride on the flasks and pins 263 will not have reached the top of slots 272. On the other hand, slots 272 are of such length that, as beams 197 nise whereby to pick up the flasks by means of platform 2'12, arms 267 also pick up arms 262 a suificient distance to clear wheels 2625 of the flasks 273 and 274 a sufficient distance to permit their removal from the rollers. Likewise,

the insertion of new flasks on the rollers and the lowering of beams 197 again bring wheels 265 to rest on the newly mounted flasks whereby the weight will prevent bounding and excessive vibration of the flasks during the high speed rotation thereof and the metal pouring operation.

Operation To briefly summarize the operation in addition to the operative statements previously made in this specification, a mold flask 10 on upper rail 14 is transferred to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, received on elevator arms 17 lowered to the level of the lower trackway 25, passed onto one of the guides 108' and from there pushed transversely onto a pattern in horizontal position by means of a piston 103. The flask will probably have been cleaned on upper trackway 14 by a push-through brush, as previously described. Once enclosing a pattern, the flask is transferred from horizontal to vertical position and a tamper bar 151 inserted therein after a flask supporting and stabilizing collar has been set thereon. Sand is passed from the upper feed system by means of a feed mechanism as in FIGS. 7 and 8 through a pivoted chute into the flask whereby the rotating flask is filled with properly tamped sand. With the sand properly inserted, the pattern and flask are again placed in horizontal position as in FIGS. 3 and 4, guides 168 moved forwardly, the gate bar dropped over the flask and the latter, with molding sand therein, pulled from the pattern. Flasks filled with sand are then rolled onto lower trackway portion 25, where, before entry into the pouring and spinning system, suitable end plugs are applied and screwed on in conventional manner. These are not shown as conventional in the art.

Paired flasks are then picked up on rails 21?. and placed on roller wheels 176478. Driven by motor 164, the flasks are spun and molten metal is poured from pots 181 through funnels 183 into the flasks as they spin. The flasks may be retained by a roller thereabove in the spinning operation, if desired. After spinning, rails 212 translate the paired metal filled flasks onto rail 31, from where they are passed to the pushout section. Sand and the cast pipe are pushed out by the piston of cylinder 232. Elevator brackets 235, under actuation of hydraulic cylinder 238, raise empty flasks to the level of track 14 where they are moved off by means of members 240 and 24-1. The pushed-out sand and pipe are decanted out of the system by means of the linkage through a cable 252.

A work platform 259 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 permits workers to stand on the level of sand filling operations. Controls 260 actuate the flask handling, the vertical and the horizontal moving of the pattern means and rotation thereof. Controls 261 handle the parallelogram lift and carriage of FIGS. and 6. Controls 263 handle the pushout cylinder 232 and elevator mechanism for flask return. All such hydraulic controls are conventional and thus not detailed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for sand lining cylindrical casting flasks comprising a platform, a cylindrical mold pattern rotatably mounted on said platform normal thereto, means for rotating said cylindrical pattern connected to said platform for movement therewith, means for locating the lower end of a casting flask circumferentially relative to the lower end of said pattern with the remainder of the flask circumferentially positioned with respect to the remainder of said pattern, a frame, means pivotally mounting said platform on. said frame for arcuate motion relative thereto from a first point with the pattern in vertical position to a second point with the pattern in horizontal position, means for moving said platform with a flask, circumferentially mounted around said pattern thereon to and from said first and second positions, and stop means to limit movement of said platform between first and second positions.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said platform comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 including means for mounting a flask stabilization collar positioned adjacent the vertical position of the pattern, a flask stabilizing collar pivotally mounted on said means, said flask stabilizing collar including a plurality of rotatable bearing means adapted to circumferentially engage the upper end of a flask enclosing the pattern circumferentially in the latters vertical position.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 including a horizontal carriage, a horizontal track for said carriage extending substantially parallel to the axis of the pattern in the horizontal position thereof and closely adjacent said frame, said carriage movable on said track toward and away from said frame, means for moving said carriage toward and away from said frame on said track, flask guides mounted on said carriage, and flask guides mounted relative to said platform adapted to align with the flask guides mounted on said carriage when the pattern is in its horizontal position.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 including a collar pivotally mounted on said carriage adapted to engage said flask after sand lining to withdraw it from the core pattern on said carriage.

6. Apparatus as in claim 4- wherein the means for moving said carriage toward and away from said frame comprises an hydraulic cylinder connected to said track and said carriage.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1 including a sand tray adjacent the top of a flask in vertical position on said platform around said pattern thereon, a source of sand vertically positioned above the top of a flask in said vertical position, a feed chute for sand from said source to a level adjacent the top of a flask in said vertical position, and a pivotal lower end on said chute adapted to pivot from said tray to a position above the top of a flask in said vertical position on said platform.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 including a power source driving a shaft in rotatory motion, a second shaft carried eccentrically by said first shaft for oscillatory vertical plunger motion thereon, a collar carried by said second shaft and a tamper beam received in said collar in resilient engagement for vertical oscillation therewith.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 including means for regulating the resilient engagement of the collar with the tamper beam.

10. Apparatus as in claim 8 including means on said collar for releasing said resilient engagement of said collar with said tamper beam.

11. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said flask stabilizing collar has a substantially diametric divider therein, a sand tray adjacent the top of a flask in vertical position on said platform, a source of sand vertically positioned above the top of the flask in vertical position, a feed chute for sand from said source to a level adjacent the top of said flask in vertical position on one side of said divider, and a pivotal lower end on said chute adapted to pivot from said tray to the top of said flask on one side of said divider in vertical position of said flask on said platform around the pattern thereon, a power source driving a shaft in rotatory motion, a second shaft carried eccentrically by said first shaft for oscillating plunger motion therewith, a collar carried by said second shaft, and a tamper beam received in said collar in resilient engagement for vertical oscillation therewith on the other side of said divider in said stabilization collar.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said collar is pivotally mounted on said second shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Van Zijp Mar. 7, 1937 Ronine Mar. 17, 1953 Couplandet al. Jan. 24, 1956 Buhrer May 21, 1957 Lasater et a1 Sept. 2, 1958 Cooper et a1. Jan. 27, 1959 Ewing May 31, 1959 Moran et al. July 7, 1959 Deakins et al June 28, 1960 

1. APPARATUS FOR SAND LINING CYLINDRICAL CASTING FLASKS COMPRISING A PLATFORM, A CYLINDRICAL MOLD PATTERN ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM NORMAL THEREOF, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CYLINDRICAL PATTERN CONNECTED TO SAID PLATFORM FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, MEANS FOR LOCATING THE LOWER END OF A CASTING FLASK CIRCUMFERENTIALLY RELATIVE TO THE LOWER END OF SAID PATTERN WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE FLASK CIRCUMFERENTIALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID PATTERN, A FRAME, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID PLATFORM ON SAID FRAME FOR ACUATE MOTION RELATIVE THERETO FROM A FIRST POINT WITH THE PATTERN IN VERTICAL POSITION TO A SECOND POINT WITH THE PATTERN IN HORIZONTAL POSITION, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PLATFORM 